China to test endurance of its astronauts in space
By ANITuesday, January 18, 2011
BEIJING - China plans to test the endurance of its astronauts in space through long-term missions.
According to the China Daily, the aim is to establish the astronauts’ operational and decision-making abilities in space, along with any psychological and physical changes they undergo while living in cramped compartments in weightless conditions.
The research findings will play a significant role in drafting the selection criteria to recruit future astronauts.
“We want to find scientific answers to questions like what type of people can work as astronauts on long missions and what capabilities they should have,” a Chinese space agency official said.
The country’s eight major research institutes will participate in the program, including the institute of psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University and Peking University, though the funding for the program has yet to be revealed.
The research will also be used by decision-makers to decide what constitutes a suitable workload for astronauts on extended missions and drawing up training programs in accordance with the results. (ANI)
